NOTE: Please do not resubmit candidates who were found non-compliant in the earlier rounds of this RFQ. Previously proposed candidates were not compliant for the following reason: The profile does not demonstrate clear, independently verifiable experience aligning with the minimum requirement of 3 years in hands-on penetration testing. Deadline Date: Tuesday 20 October 2026 Requirement: Penetration Tester Location: Mons, BE Full Time On-Site: Yes Time On-Site: 100% Total Scope of the request (hours): 400 Required Start Date: 18 November 2026 End Contract Date: 31 December 2026 Required Security Clearance: NATO SECRET Duties & Role: The duties of the individual mainly focus on: • Lead and/or be part of the Red/Blue Team during NATO military exercises; • Provide Web, infrastructure and application level penetration testing; • Provide security design reviews to ensure compliance with NATO policies and directives; • Provide security consultancy and advice to projects, plans, and other entities; • Build and sustain effective communications with different stakeholders; specifically, the NCIA Configuration Control Board, Security Accreditation Boards, NATO Security Accreditation Authorities, and NCI Agency organization units supporting accreditation processes. • Brief at both executive and technical levels on security reports and testing outcome, including at flag officer level; • In co-ordination with the Head of the Penetration testing Cell, ensure proactive collaboration and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Requirements Skill, Knowledge & Experience: • The candidate must have a currently active NATO SECRET security clearance • Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in web application penetration testing; • Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in IT infrastructure penetration testing; • Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in network security architecture design; • Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in assessing security vulnerabilities within OS, software, protocols & networks; • Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in researching and evaluating security products & technologies; • Knowledge in system and network administration of UNIX and Windows systems; • Extensive knowledge and experience (more than 3 years) in the use of penetration testing tools, techniques, and recognized testing methodologies; • Scripting skills in at least one of the following: Perl, Python, Ruby, shell (bash, ksh, csh); • Technical knowledge in system and network security, authentication and security protocols, cryptography, application security, as well as, malware infection techniques and protection technologies. • Ability to evaluate risks and formulate mitigation plans; • Proven ability to write clear and structured technical reports including executive summary, technical findings and remediation plan for several different audiences